Zimbabwe - Rhodesia, UDI, Independence: The goal of the RF was Rhodesian independence under guaranteed minority rule. Field was replaced as prime minister in April 1964 by his deputy, Ian Smith. The RF swept all A-roll seats in the 1965 election, and Smith used this parliamentary strength to tighten controls on the political opposition. After several attempts to persuade Britain to grant Rhodesia's Unilateral Declaration of Independence (UDI) was a statement adopted by the Cabinet of Rhodesia on 11 November 1965, announcing that Rhodesia (previously Southern Rhodesia), [n 1] a British crown colony in southern Africa that had governed itself since 1923, now regarded itself as an independent sovereign state. Zimbabwe Independence Day is a momentous occasion that commemorates the country’s liberation from colonial rule and its journey towards self-determination. This article delves into the rich history, significance, and vibrant celebrations that mark this important day in Zimbabwe’s calendar. The Unilateral Declaration of Independence In 1965, the conservative white minority government in Rhodesia unilaterally declared independence from the United Kingdom, but did not achieve internationally recognized sovereignty until 1980 as Zimbabwe. In 1965, Zimbabwe became autonomous and was led by a white segregationist government after Ian Douglas Smith made a Unilateral Declaration of Independence (UDI) from Britain. This was after the British government had made majority rule a condition for the independence of Rhodesia from Britain. Zimbabwe 33.3: Zimbabwe 33.3.1: The Unilateral Declaration of Independence In 1965, the conservative white minority government in Rhodesia unilaterally declared independence from the United Kingdom, but did not achieve internationally recognized sovereignty until 1980 as Zimbabwe. Independence Day in Zimbabwe On May 31, 1979, the southern African nation of Zimbabwe, formerly known as Rhodesia, declared its independence from Great Britain. The occasion has been observed as Independence Day in Zimbabwe ever since. The event is a milestone in the decline and fall of colonialism, since Rhodesia was founded by Cecil Rhodes (1853–1902), one of the main promoters of British In 1965, the colonial government declared itself independent as Rhodesia, but largely failed to secure international recognition and faced sustained internal opposition in the Rhodesian Bush War. After fifteen years of war, following the Lancaster House Agreement of 1979 there was a transition to internationally recognised majority rule in 1980. Independence for Zimbabwe came on this date in 1980 from Britain. Prime Minister Robert Mugabe consolidated his power in 1982 and dismissed Joshua Nkomo from his government. Mugabe’s party won a landslide victory in 1985, the first general election since independence. In late 1987 the constitution was amended to replace the position of prime minister with that of executive president, which The declaration of independence in 1965 by the white-minority government was not recognized by the international community, which resulted in a protracted conflict known as the Zimbabwe Liberation War. After years of guerrilla warfare and negotiations, Zimbabwe officially gained independence on April 18, 1980. Independence of Zimbabwe Following the break-up of the Central African Federation, Britain granted independence to its former parts: Northern Rhodesia, which became Zambia, and Nyasaland, which became Malawi. The third part, Southern Rhodesia, had problems with the lack of guaranteed majority rule. The Unilateral Declaration of Independence At last, in 1965, Zimbabwe declared independence from Britain, ending a long history of discrimination and racism in the country. The Declaration is as follows: Other articles where Unilateral Declaration of Independence is discussed: Zimbabwe: Rhodesia and the UDI: independence, Smith’s government announced the Unilateral Declaration of Independence (UDI) on November 11, 1965. The story of Zimbabwe’s Independence Day is deeply intertwined with the country’s journey towards sovereignty. For many years, Zimbabwe, previously known as Rhodesia, was under the colonial rule of the British South African Company (BSAC). Zimbabwe Gains Independence On March 4, 1980, Zimbabwe achieved independence from a long period of white minority rule that began with the Unilateral Declaration of Independence (UDI) by Prime Minister Ian Smith in 1965. Zimbabwe is one of the countries that were under the rule of Britain. For more than 90 years Zimbabwe suffered from the European exploitation and civil war. Fortunately, the country proclaimed its independence in 1980. However, the new authoritarian regime did not improve the financial condition of Zimbabwe. A survey of notable events and people in the history of Zimbabwe. The landlocked country is located in Southern Africa. Bantu-speaking groups have populated what is now Zimbabwe for more than 10 centuries. In 1965, a white-minority government, led by Ian Smith, issued a Unilateral Declaration of Independence from Britain, which the UK and international community refused to recognize and deemed illegal. On April 18th, 1980, Zimbabwe officially gained independence from the United Kingdom, marking the end of colonial rule and the beginning of a new era for the country.
Articles and news, personal stories, interviews with experts.
Photos from events, contest for the best costume, videos from master classes.
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |